The National Alliance for Democracy (NAD) has called on General Yakubu Gowon and all living former presidents of Nigeria to urgently intervene in the ongoing reform process of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The group warned that changes approved by the Federal Executive Council risk undermining the scheme's founding purpose of promoting national unity and integration.
NAD Raises Alarm Over NYSC Reform Direction
In a statement issued on Friday, July 10, 2026, NAD national convener Dr Lucky Eremosele specifically named former heads of state Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar as leaders whose counsel is needed at this critical moment. “General Yakubu Gowon and our former Presidents have a historic responsibility to protect the NYSC as a symbol of Nigerian unity. We call on them to immediately intervene by engaging President Tinubu on these reforms,” Dr Eremosele said.
The group argued that the current direction of the reforms places too much weight on commercial and skills-based objectives, potentially at the cost of the programme's unified mandate. “The proposed changes, while claiming to modernise the scheme, risk diluting its primary purpose of fostering national integration. National interest must supersede any rushed alterations that could weaken this vital institution,” the statement added.
Security and Unity Concerns
NAD pointed to worsening security conditions and ethno-religious tensions across Nigeria as reasons why the NYSC's traditional deployment model remains as relevant as ever. The alliance cautioned that shortened orientation periods, risk-sensitive postings, and civilian-led structures could reduce cross-cultural exposure among young graduates and inadvertently deepen divisions.
“The NYSC has been a cornerstone of national unity since its inception. Any reform that weakens its core mission of integration could have long-term consequences for social cohesion,” Dr Eremosele warned.
Calls for Broader Consultation
NAD insisted that comprehensive reform must involve stakeholders well beyond the executive branch, including traditional rulers, youth organisations, civil society groups, and, critically, the generation that founded the scheme. The group specifically appealed to former heads of state to add their voices to the process. “We appeal to General Gowon, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and other former leaders to rise to the occasion. Their meeting with President Tinubu will help guide the process towards sustainable reforms,” the statement read.
The group also called for scrutiny of plans around technology-driven mobilisation and specialised career streams, warning that these could create new inequalities or lock certain graduates out of meaningful national service. “President Tinubu means well for the youth, but the voice of experience from General Gowon and former Presidents is indispensable at this critical moment,” Dr Eremosele added.
Previous Appeals to Pause Reforms
Recall that a youth coalition, the Coalition for National Unity and Youth Development, earlier appealed to President Tinubu to pause proposed NYSC reforms, warning that they could undermine national unity and the scheme's founding mission. The coalition called for an expanded review committee comprising former NYSC directors-general, security experts, employers, and civil society groups before any bill reaches the National Assembly. The group defended the scheme's military orientation, emergency response record, and digital systems, arguing that inadequate funding rather than structural overhaul is the real challenge facing the NYSC.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government approved replacing the NYSC khaki uniform and announced the fabric type that will be used. The government also introduced a new posting approach expected to align corps members with their academic backgrounds. The NYSC reform will retain military involvement while changing operational leadership and expanding skills-focused national service.
